*The author in her natural habitat. Photo by Joyous Lily*

As I get ready to celebrate the final year of my twenties, I am grappling with the fact that I will be in my 30s.

Yeah, yeah, I know. “Your thirties are some of the best years of your life!” The chaotic, tumultuous moments of my twenties are well behind me, and I like to think I’ve even learned a thing or two about life. If your twenties are defined as the decade of self exploration, then your thirties are when you thrive, confident in who you are and what your purpose in life is.

But aging is part of life, and there are some inescapable things that aging entails: not being able to pull all-nighters like back in college, worse hangovers, et cetera. I am also noticing more changes in my skin that I am not exactly thrilled by. So let’s explore some of the ways our skin changes from 20 to 30, and what to do to mitigate some of them. You’ll find links to all recommended products at the end of the article.

Cellular turnover, the process in which older cells in the body are replaced by fresh new ones, is a critical process for the skin. When you were a child, your skin cells were replaced every 14 days or so. This process begins to slow gradually throughout our 20s and, by our 30s, it takes 28-35 day to replace cells. Since it takes longer, dead cells begin to accumulate on the outer layers of the skin, creating a dull appearance. Adding an exfoliator to your skin routine 1-2 times a week helps to remove this buildup of dead skin, revealing the smooth new cells. We recommend Yon-Ka Paris Gommage, which sloughs dead skin away through a non-granular method while packing the skin with amazing natural compounds to leave it fresh and hydrated. I also recommend the High Beauty Hempseed Peeling Mask, which works in much the same way. A word on exfoliators: choose a gentle exfoliator that won’t do damage to the skin (avoid the St. Ives Apricot Scrub!).

In your 30s, environmental and lifestyle stressors begin to make themselves known on the skin. All those youthful years spent running in the sun with no sunscreen can begin to show. Low-level (or even high-level) sun exposure in our youth may not appear until decades later, and it begins to show up as hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is when the cells that produce pigment are told to go into over-production, caused by UV exposure, hormones, and sometimes medications. This, when coupled with the slower cell regeneration, can mean that scars and blemishes take longer to disappear. Other environmental pollutants and even years of exposure to the elements can take their toll on the skin, leaving behind fine wrinkles, crows feet, and smile lines.

Fun, right?

Don’t worry, I’m not just here to be the bearer of bad news. Begin adding a moisturizer packed with antioxidants to reduce environmental damage, like Yon-Ka Paris’ Vital Defense Creme. It works to combat environmental damage while also providing the intense hydration skin needs. And, while we’re at it-- make sure you are wearing SPF every time you’re in the sun. EVERY. TIME. Find a sunscreen with at least SPF 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s rays. And remember to reapply!

If you’ve been getting by without using eye cream, now is the time to start. Crows feet, dark circles, and puffiness all can increase during your 30s. Depending on what your skin type is and whether you experience one or all of these, there are different eye creams that will work for you. If you find yourself primarily experiencing dark or puffy under eye circles, the Yon-Ka Paris Phyto Contour works wonders. It utilizes a high concentration of rosemary essential oil, which acts to stimulate blood flow and reduce inflammation to the area. Be sure not to apply too close to the eye, as it is quite strong. For fine lines, crows feet, and dry eye area, the ultra-nourishing and repairing Nutri-Contour is a must. It diminishes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with soothing chamomile extract and hydrating hazelnut oil.

It’s not just about using new products in your routine. It’s also about incremental lifestyle changes to promote wellbeing. You know what else reduces wrinkles and leaves your skin looking plump and hydrated? Drinking water. Lots of it. Staying hydrated throughout the day is huge when it comes to promoting your skin’s health and looking vibrant. Cutting back on inflammatory food and beverages like sugar and alcohol can make a big impact. Reducing stress also can greatly improve your skin, so making sure you have a strong self-care and mental health support system in place can make a world of difference.

So here are the takeaways from this lesson: first, exfoliate to slough away dead skin. Second, use a moisturizer with antioxidants to fight environmental stressors. Use SPF sunscreen religiously. Start using an eye cream, and drink your water. But most importantly-- growing older is inevitable; growing up is entirely optional. If you take care of yourself, laugh and find joy, and continue the neverending processes of learning and exploring, 30 just becomes another number along the way.

Yon-Ka Paris Gommage Yon-Ka available at the Pearl Day Spa, $46
High Beauty HempSeed Peeling Mask: available online, $46
Yon-Ka Paris Vital Defense Creme: available at the Pearl Day Spa, $74
Yon-Ka Paris Phyto Contour: available at the Pearl Day Spa, $58
Yon-Ka Paris Nutri Contour: available at the Pearl Day Spa, $56

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